GK Quiz | 22 June 2020

1. Consider the following statements:

1. Sukhna Lake is a man-made lake in Uttarakhand built in 1958.
2. It is declared as a “living entity” or “legal person”.
3. It has a nearby wildlife sanctuary that is home to sambar, pangolin, wild boars, red jungle fowl, cobras and other species.

Which of the above given statements is/are correct?

1. 1 and 3
2. 2 and 3
3. 3 only
4. 1,2 and 3

Ans. B

Explanation

The man-made Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh was built in 1958 by Le Corbusier, the architect of Chandigarh. The lake is located at the foothills of the Shivalik Hills. The lake was designed in such a way so as to collect runoff water from the Hills. Therefore, Statement 1 is incorrect.

The lake was declared a “living entity” with rights, duties and liabilities of a living person by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Therefore, Statement 2 is correct

Recently a notification has been issued by Chandigarh Wetland Authority to declare Sukhna Lake as Wetland under Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rule 2017.

Wetland Rules, 2017 are notified under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act,1986, to protect wetlands across the country. Wetlands can be notified by the centre, state, or UT administration. It gives state/UTs power to check on prohibited activities such as commercial mining, setting up of industries, solid waste dumping, etc.

Wetland also has a nearby Sukhna wildlife sanctuary that is home to sambar, pangolin, wild boars, red jungle fowl, cobras and other species. Therefore, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, the correct answer is B.

 

2. World Competitiveness Rankings 2020 is published by which organization?

1. World Economic Forum
2. Economics Intelligence Unit
3. UNDP
4. Institute for Management Development

Ans. D

Explanation

India continues to rank 43^rd in the World Competitiveness Index/ World Competitiveness Rankings 2020, which is compiled annually by the Institute for Management Development (IMD). India remained at the same rank as that in 2019 due to weaknesses like poor infrastructure and insufficient education investment.

Singapore is at the top of the 63-nation list, followed by Denmark. Among the BRICS nations, India is ranked second after China (20^th), followed by Russia (50^th), Brazil (56^th) and South Africa (59^th).

Hence, the correct answer is D.

 

3. Which of the following is true about Convalescent Plasma Therapy?

1. Convalescent Plasma Therapy is using plasma from people recovering from COVID-19 to treat others who have developed the disease.
2. Convalescent plasma (CP) therapy is a new therapy that develops primary immunity against the virus.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans. A

Explanation

Convalescent Plasma Therapy is using plasma from people recovering from COVID-19 to treat others who have developed the disease. The whole blood or plasma from such people is taken, and the plasma is then injected in critically ill patients so that the antibodies are transferred. Through this therapy, the infected person can fight against the virus. Therefore, statements 1 is correct.

Convalescent plasma (CP) therapy is not a new therapy that develops primary immunity against the virus. This therapy is used earlier for treating Spanish flu, SARS flu, Swine Flu and EBOLA. Therefore, statement 2 is incorrect.

Hence, the correct answer is A.

 

4. Favipiravir, recently seen in the news, is a:

1. It is an anti-viral drug for the treatment of COVID-19.
2. It is a space mission for France.
3. It is an invasive species.
4. It is a communicable disease that transfers from animals to humans.

Ans. A

Explanation

Recently, the Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) has approved the marketing and manufacturing of the drug Favipiravir by Glenmark for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 cases. The drug has shown positive results in countries like Russia, China and Japan.

Another drug Remdesivir has also got approval by DGCI for restricted emergency use in India.

Glenmark was the first company in India to receive the drug regulator’s approval to conduct phase-3 clinical trial of Favipiravir anti-viral tablets for Covid-19 patients. The drug will be available under the brand name FabiFlu.

Favipiravir is a generic version of Avigan of Fujifilm Toyama Chemical, Japan, a subsidiary of Fujifilm Corporation.

The drug works by short-circuiting the reproduction mechanism of certain RNA viruses such as influenza.

Hence, the correct answer is A.

 

5. Recently Hetero has launched a new drug for the treatment of COVID-19. Which of the following is true regarding this drug?

1. The drug is named Covifor.
2. The drug is a generic version of Umifenovir.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans. A

Explanation

Hetero launched a new drug named Covifor for the treatment of COVID-19. The DGCI has given approval to Hetero to manufacture and sell this drug. Therefore, Statement 1 is correct.

The drug is a generic version of the anti-viral drug Remdesivir manufactured by Gilead Sciences Inc. Covifor will be available in 100 mg vial (injectable). Since the drug has been approved for emergency use, it will not be retailed through chemists. Therefore, Statement 2 is incorrect.

Hence, the correct answer is A.

 

6. Consider the following statements regarding the Global Status Report on Preventing Violence Against Children 2020:

1. The report has been launched by WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children and the End Violence Partnership.
2. The report measures the progress of 155 countries for the INSPIRE framework.
3. According to the report, half of the world’s children are facing some or the other kind of violence, suffer injuries and death.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Ans. D

Explanation

The Global Status Report on Preventing Violence Against Children 2020 has been launched by WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children and the End Violence Partnership. The report charted progress in 155 countries against the “INSPIRE” framework. INSPIRE is a set of seven strategies for preventing and responding to violence against children. Therefore, Statements 1 and 2 are correct.

Highlights of the Report:

• Half of the world’s children face one or the other kind of violence, suffer injuries and death as the countries have failed to protect them. Therefore, Statement 3 is correct.
• Due to lockdown, the youngsters were stuck with their abusers. Also, the cases of violence and hate online, including bullying, have increased.
• As per the report, 88% of the countries have strict laws to protect minors, but less than half of them strongly enforce these laws.
• According to the report, in 2017, around 40,000 children were victims of homicide.
• Around 80% of countries have national plans of action and policies, but only one-fifth have plans that are fully funded or have measurable targets.

Hence, the correct answer is D.